Ankle injuries are very common amongst all people, and there are a lot of different degrees of seriousness. Most ankle injuries are caused by landing or stepping awkwardly.
The ankle is a large joint made up of three bones: 1. The shin bone (tibia), 2. The thinner bone running next to the shinbone (fibula) and a foot bone that sits above the heel bone (talus). The ankle joint allows up-and-down movement of the foot. The subtalar joint sits below the ankle joint, and allows side-to-side motion of the foot. Numerous ligaments surround the ankle and subtalar joints, binding the bones of the leg to each other and to those of the foot.
The most common types of injuries:
Sprained ankle: Damage to one of the ligaments in the ankle, usually from an accidental twist or turn of the foot. Rehabilitation can prevent pain and swelling from becoming a long-term problem.Some ankle sprains are much worse than others. The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially
torn, or completely torn, as well as on the number of ligaments involved. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, which affect muscles rather than ligaments. You can also get a High ankle sprain The ligament joining the two bones of the lower leg (tibia and fibula), called the syndesmotic ligament, is injured. A high ankle sprain causes pain and swelling similar to a true ankle sprain, but can take longer to heal.
Causes
Sprained ankles often result from a fall, a sudden twist, or a blow that forces the ankle joint out of its normal position. Ankle sprains commonly occur while participating in sports, wearing inappropriate shoes, or walking or running on an uneven surface. Sometimes ankle sprains occur because of a person is born with weak ankles. Previous ankle or footinjuries can also weaken the ankle and lead to sprains.
Symptoms
The symptoms of ankle sprains may include Pain or soreness, Swelling, Bruising, Difficulty walking and Stiffness in the joint. These symptoms may vary in intensity, depending on the severity of the sprain. Sometimes pain and swelling are absent in people with previous ankle sprains. Instead, they may simply feel the ankle is wobbly and unsteady when they walk. Even if there is no pain or swelling with a sprained ankle, treatment is crucial. Any ankle sprain – whether it’s your first or your fifth – requires prompt medical attention
Treatment
• Rest. Stay off the injured ankle. Walking may cause further injury.
• Ice. Apply an ice pack to the injured area, placing a thin towel between the ice and the
skin. Use ice for 20 minutes and then wait at least 40 minutes before icing again.
• Compression. An elastic wrap may be recommended to control swelling.
• Elevation. The ankle should be raised slightly above the level of your heart to reduce
swelling.
• Early physical therapy. Your doctor will start you on a rehabilitation program as soon
as possible to promote healing and increase your range of motion. This includes doing
prescribed exercises.
• Medications. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may
be recommended to reduce pain and inflammation. In some cases, prescription pain
medications are needed to provide adequate relief.